Trace metals in the shells of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) from the Poland coast of Baltic sea

Abstract

In this study, bioaccumulation of the heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Fe, Mn, V, Li, Al) in the shells of Mytilus edulis were investigated. Shells of Mytilus edulis were collected in May to September 2005 from 12 stations on the Polish coast of Baltic Sea. At each sampling sites 17-330 different size of shells were collected during 2005, respectively. Due to heavy industrial activities in the region, the bay has the polluted coastal waters of Poland. Shells were analysed by ICP AES and Coleman MAS 50 CV atomic absorption spectrometer. As expected from the similarity found between the relationships of metal content length and dry the concentrations of the different metals in the shells did not seem to depend on the shell length. No significant differences were detected in metal concentration between different shell lengths. Given their geographical distributions, as well as their abilities to show up spatial and temporal changes in metal bioavailabilities confirmed here, it is concluded that the mussel M. edulis a suitable candidate to be used in biomonitoring surveys of the Poland coast of Baltic.